Conservative or Liberal, Deist or Pagan, Jersey transplant or Lehigh Valley native, we're all in this mess together. Let's talk. Let us do no harm. Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne

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Friday, April 03, 2015

NorCo GOP Finds Two Controller Write-In Candidates

Tony Catino, model prospect

Bangor School Director Pam Colton was supposed to be the Republican candidate for NorCo Controller this year. But she never circulated a nomination petition. As a result, on the last day for filing, Republicans had no one to square off against Democratic incumbent Steve Barron. Since he and Lamont McClure have been Executive John Brown's biggest critics, this failure to find an opponent is in itself an embarrassing defeat. Republicans have since come up with two possible write-in candidates, and only one of them can be counted on as a friend to John Brown.

The first write-on candidate considered is Ron Angle, who was endorsed unanimously by the GOP Executive Committee at their March 26 meeting. Ron was very flattered, but should not be. Republicans are just throwing him into the breach for appearances. If they think that he would be a John Brown ally, they are sadly mistaken.

Next year's budget would have to include several dozen body bags, mostly for the people on top.

The other write-in candidate, a newcomer named Anthony Catino, mysteriously appeared on the scene right after the Executive Committee endorsement. He announced on March 29, just three days after Angle was endorsed. On his Facebook page, he calls himself a "Young Exuberant Candidate For Northampton County Controller." He also appears to have no understanding of the job. One of his earlier Facebook entries, which he has since removed, asserts that his job as Controller would be to help Brown grown the economy.

His Linked-In Profile states his plan in life is "to work efficiently to rise to the top of the business world." He currently works for Tru-Colors Restoration, a reputable home remodeling firm in the Slate Belt.

He is a college graduate, with a business degree from DeSales.

Like most young people, he has had some minor run-ins with the law. On 10/23/13. he pleaded guilty to driving without a valid inspection. That still happens to me at times. But a little more troubling is his 5/12/14 guilty plea to driving while under suspension. That would mean another suspension.

Bus service to the courthouse from Bangor is really lousy.

If his write-in bid fails, he is listed with Explore Talent as a modeling and acting hopeful. So he's got that going for him.

I'm glad he's running. In a democratic form of government, we do better when we have a choice.

I am not pumping up anything, but am repeating what I heard from two members of the Exec Committee other than Angle. And as I have already noted, I doubt all were there. Ron is without question my very good friend, and I will support whatever he wants. I would prefer that he run at large in two years or take on Brown, but that's his call. Like him or not, he is on the same level as Grucela, Jerry, Stoffa, Heckman and now, McClure. I would support Barron but Ron is my friend, and if he gets the bid, I back him. I have explained this to Barron, and he understands friendship comes first. Iam very loyal to friends. I also don't really give a shit what some anonymous insomniac thinks. I believe the Rs are just throwing him into the breach for appearance sake. They should have listened to him in November, when he told them they need candidates. Now they have three seats with no one as a declared candidate.

You've just described the incumbent. Both candidates have the same qualifications. Barron has the edge on stealing time from taxpayers and lying about it after being caught by this blog. I'm checking sources to see if the challenger has ever trampled a flower bed and threatened a Lehigh Valley employer and been sanctioned by county council and lambasted by the county executive. I'll get back to you with what I learn.

Seriously this is all the Republicans can bring to the table here? Unqualified candidates who want nothing other then to suck up to Brown and get Barron out. I not the biggest fan of Barron but at least he is qualified and I happen to like that he keeps people on edge.

Ron Angle and his sidekick O'Hare are still feeling the shockwaves from the Stoffa administration that gave them access to every drawer, file, computer and document, confidential or not.

The three stooges are now on the outside looking in, and treated as every ordinary citizen without special perks, privileges, and unabated access to inside info.

Ron Angle has never been motivated by anything except Ron Angle, and least of all, good government. The electors will see through this sham, of an attempt by an ousted outsider to get inside info, only to exploit it on his buddies' disgusting gossip column he calls a blog.

The obvious long shot write-in choice here is TM. She is an expert at combing through Right to Know information provided via non-FAX delivery, and finding out nothing.

She lives close enough to the courthouse to walk to work when necessary.

She is intimately familiar with the courthouse - especially the courtrooms. She allegedly knows more than the people at Gracedale that wouldn't hire her - there is no question that she would profess to know more than Barron. She's a natural.

First, that pic is him. Second, it's "too," not "to." Third, his Facebook entry, which he has since taken down, speaks for itself. Fourth, I freely admit my bias. Fifth, I heard there might be a third GOP write-in. The more the merrier.

I know this has nothing to do with this article but I need to ask this question......there are still four living past County Executives not including Brown. Why aren't any of these individuals serving on key boards or commissions of the county? Why aren't we taking advantage of their expertise? Is it because they aren't willing to serve. Don't they volunteer? Are they that selfish?

None of them is selfish. What a nasty conclusion to reach without knowing the facts! I am close to two of these former Execs and both are willing and have offered to serve in whatever way they can. Don't insult these good people.

Your slavish devotion to that barbarian who fortunately is no longer within the gates is a fresh reminder of the anchor of your moral compass. Your ability to yawn and ignore the banality of evil never ceases to amaze.

My moral compass tells me that if I attack someone personally, I should identify myself and take responsibility. You, on the other hand, have no moral compass at all. You have no honor, and are a coward.

Bill Brackbill won a primary on a write in election. He did not win a write in in the General election. There were no other candidates on the ballot so the candidate that got more than 250 votes and was high man won the Primary Republican write in election.

Jim Hemstreet won his last election to council with write in's on DEM side and opposed endorsed R's school teacher/coach and Orange-man ,Bob Stem-and beat him up with virtually no costs to Hemstreet ,cost R's about $40,000 to try to unseat him. But it's over now.Bob had a nice family but he was a sore looser.

If Mr.Angle likes him ... It's OK with me at this point.Mr. Angle deep down inside knows what is valid . If you don't believe me look how he lives,and look how we live. It's a judgement call. Is Mr.Angle right most of the time ?You can bet he is.